MINNEAPOLIS and WASHINGTON, April 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., announced today that a scientific paper on its Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), has been recognized with a Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Award from the Clinical Research Forum. The awards were announced at the Forum's Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. The 10 winning papers were chosen based on their degree of innovation from a pool of more than 50 nominations from 30 research and academic health centers nationwide.

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Submitted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and University Hospitals in Cleveland, the paper "Upper-Airway Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea," showed that implanting Inspire therapy led to a 68 percent reduction in sleep apnea events and significant improvements in quality of life measures. The paper includes findings from Inspire Medical System's Stimulation for Apnea Reduction (STAR) trial, the results of which were published January 9, 2014, in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"Findings from the STAR trial were a crucial part of the FDA assessment and approval process for Inspire therapy," said Tim Herbert, CEO of Inspire Medical Systems. "We are honored to have the publication of our pivotal trial results recognized by the Clinical Research Forum and would like to thank the exceptional team of independent researchers, and in particular the lead investigators, for their dedication and hard work."

Inspire therapy is an implantable device approved to treat people with moderate to severe OSA who are unable to use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. While CPAP is often successful, studies show that roughly half of all patients that start CPAP eventually become non-compliant.

The Clinical Research Forum's Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Awards honor outstanding accomplishments in clinical research. This annual national competition seeks to identify major advances resulting from the nation's investment in research to benefit the health and welfare of its citizens.

About Inspire therapy
Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) is an FDA approved treatment for people with moderate to severe OSA who are unable to use CPAP. Inspire therapy is a fully implanted system consisting of three components: a small generator, a sensing lead and a stimulation lead. The single external component, a small handheld Inspire sleep remote, is used to turn the therapy on before bed and off upon waking. When activated, Inspire therapy senses breathing patterns and delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles, which keeps the airway open during sleep. Patients implanted with Inspire therapy who participated in the STAR (Stimulation Therapy for Apnea Reduction) pivotal clinical trial experienced a 68 percent reduction in apnea events, a 70 percent reduction in oxygen desaturation events, and significant improvements in Quality of Life. These results were published in the January 9, 2014, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. For more information visit: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7169651-fda-approves-inspire-upper-airway-stimulation-therapy-sleep-apnea

About Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.
Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., based in Minneapolis, Minn., was formed in 2007 when the technology and a significant intellectual property portfolio was spun-out of Medtronic (NYSE: MDT). Inspire Medical Systems has developed an FDA approved, implantable neurostimulation system for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Privately held, investors include Aperture Venture Partners, GDN Holdings, Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Medtronic, OrbiMed Advisors, Synergy Life Science Partners, TGap Ventures and US Venture Partners. Visit Inspire Medical Systems on the web at www.inspiresleep.com.

About the Clinical Research Forum
Formed in 1996, the Clinical Research Forum convenes annually to allow industry leaders to discuss issues facing the field, best practices, and promote understanding and support for clinical research and its impact on health and healthcare. Through its activities, the Forum has increasingly played a national advocacy role in supporting broader interests and needs of clinical research. You can find more information at www.clinicalresearchforum.org.

Media contacts:
Helen Shik or Rachel Gross
MSLGROUP Boston
781-684-0770
InspireMedical@mslgroup.com

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SOURCE Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.